Editorial

In less than two months' time, on May 1, Malta will formally take its seat in Brussels as a member of the European Union. Thirty-three days later, locally elected candidates will take their seat in the European parliament.

The long haul to the EU was characterised by the steadfast belief of the Nationalist Party that Malta's future lay within the community of European nations. Its vision on the issue never blurred.

Arriving there was not without side-shows put up by the Labour Party. It would be over their dead bodies that Malta would join the EU. In fact, it was over their live ones and by dint of an electorate that voted to join the Union in last year's referendum. The electorate confirmed its choice in a general election, the result of which placed Alfred Sant's political survival on the line.

Reluctantly, the MLP formally switched its opposition to membership. Whether it did so with heart, mind, soul and body is another matter. If truth be told, its conversion was solely due to its recognition that to go on opposing membership would keep it in the opposition benches. It is now preparing to contest the European elections in June. Even this was not without hiccups. Initially selecting four candidates to do the honours, it changed its mind about the number and will be fielding eight individuals for the fray.

Yet, a fray it should not be. All those contesting, whether under the banners of the MLP or the PN are seeking one goal; to sit as members of the European parliament. The basic decision that the electorate has to take will not be based on oppositional attitudes but on credibility.

The fundamental question the electorate needs to ask is: Who can best represent it in the European parliament - those who up to less than 12 months ago were body and soul opposed to membership or those whose party credentials in favour go back more than 30 years? Does it vote for members of a party that did all it could to obstruct membership? Or does it select those whose energies have been constantly directed towards securing Malta's future in the EU?

It would flaw the process if the electorate were to regard the June elections cynically, or, just as bad, if it were to disregard them. The nation has a choice before it, to choose five individuals to represent Malta in the European parliament. Those five individuals should exhibit and exude Europeanness not Euro-scepticism, still less, the political schizophrenia of Euro-phobia-philia.

John Attard Montalto, a candidate for the MLP, is convinced that these elections will mean the life or death of his party. One hopes he does not mean that literally. Of course, he is correct in underlining the need for MLP supporters to cast their vote. But, on the other hand, can anybody really blame them to wonder whether they should participate after being incessantly force-fed with the impression that EU is bad?

However, what these elections mean is that, notwithstanding the smallness of its representation, Malta has found its voice in a chamber that is bound to grow stronger in decision and policy-making as Europe settles into a frame of mind commensurate with its enlargement.

Malta already has its EU Commissioner. In June it will have a voice in the assembly. It is the task of the electorate to ensure that that voice is an authentic one. This can only be done by a strong voter turn-out, by an electorate aware of its responsibilities.